Ian Swankie is an art and architecture historian. He has delivered over 600 lectures in the UK, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and on cruises. He has a wide repertoire of creative enrichment subjects mainly on art, architecture, and engineering. They range from Old Masters to Modern Art, architecture from around the world along with railways and ocean liners. Ian is based in London where he is an accredited lecturer for The Arts Society, an official guide at Tate Modern and Tate Britain and a Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Art Scholars. He travels extensively and is known as an inspirational, engaging and charismatic speaker. He has always received outstanding ratings and most of his current engagements are either repeat bookings or recommendations.

Ian offers a wide range of subjects.

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GENERAL ENRICHMENT

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These are examples of general enrichment talks, further down are some that are destination specific.

THE ART MARKET – WHAT YOU GET FOR 100 MILLION DOLLARS
A talk about the mind-blowing top-end art market. We learn how it operates and reveal the people involved, looking at everything from Old Masters, French Impressionists, modern abstracts and much more.

THE LOST LEONARDO - SALVATOR MUNDI
A story of art, science, royalty, greed, lust, recovery and intrigue. Leonardo’s painting of Christ attracted worldwide attention when it broke all records selling for $450m. We follow the painting’s tumultuous journey over 500 years.

THE WORLD's FINEST BUILDINGS
The selection of the best buildings is, of course, subjective, but Ian will make the case for ones he believes make the most outstanding contribution to the human environment. They are spread around the world and include offices, hotels, stations, universities, and religious institutions.

THE FIRST OCEAN LINERS - BRUNEL'S BRILLIANT SHIPS
Isambard Kingdom Brunel, best known for his railways and bridges, also designed three massive and innovative ships that radically changed ocean travel and paved the way for today’s modern cruise ships.

BOTTOMS UP - THE STORY OF ALCOHOL IN ART
Booze has been a favourite subject in art for centuries. We look at the way drinking is depicted, the social messages portrayed and the happy as well as the adverse effects of alcohol.

MOVE OVER DARLING - BEDS IN ART
Why are artists inspired by beds? Because conception, birth and death usually take place there. We look at reclining nudes, classical harems and modern depictions like Tracy Emin’s infamous bed.

MAKING SENSE OF MODERN ART
“My five-year-old could do that!” is often heard at Tate Modern. This talk explains the meaning behind a selection of seemingly strange artworks. Put into context they start to make sense.

POTS AND FROCKS - GRAYSON PERRY, A NATIONAL TREASURE
One of Britain’s most successful artists, Grayson Perry holds a mirror up to society with his witty, colourful and sometimes rude artworks. He’s famous for wearing fabulous frocks. Great fun.

FABULOUS FROCKS
Fashion and art have always been interlinked. From Elizabethan times onwards, artists have captured their sitters wearing sumptuous clothes. We look at some of the most famous garments and hear why they were chosen for each particular portrait.

WILD BEASTS
From Pre-historic African cave paintings to Picasso’s bulls and beyond, we find out how artists have been inspired by the animal kingdom for thousands of years.

A WINTER'S TALE - CHRISTMAS PAINTINGS
This talk delves into winter-themed paintings, exploring how artists capture the season’s chill, stillness, and beauty. From icy Dutch landscapes to cosy interiors, we’ll enjoy some wonderful works of art.

STRICTLY COME PAINTING - THE ART OF DANCE
Dancers make very appealing compositions for artists. This is “Strictly” on canvas as we see some fabulous paintings from Greek Muses, Botticelli, Van Gogh, Degas, Picasso, Matisse and Jack Vetriano.

THE SEA
Artists have always been attracted to the ocean for its dramatic light, crashing waves, maritime views and seafaring vessels. We’ll see glorious seascapes from around the world depicted in a wide range of styles.

THE GOLDEN AGE OF ART DECO OCEAN LINERS
Many modern cruise ships are the epitome of elegance and sophistication but the 1920s and 1930s led the way with Art Deco. We’ll enjoy seeing the sumptuous interiors, architectural marvels and timeless elegance that changed the way we travel.

PRE-RAPHAELITE BEAUTIES
The secret brotherhood established by a group of young artists who wanted to break free from the way they were taught, and to take art back to the time before the Renaissance and Raphael. They were very successful and re-wrote the rules about beauty. They shocked the Victorian middle classes.

ART FOR THE PEOPLE - STREET ART
Public art is in the street for all to see. Classical bronzes, military statues, modern sculptures and fleeting spray paint art all have their place in cities around the world.

MUSES AND MISTRESSES - FABULOUS WOMEN IN ART
Behind every successful male artist there is often a great woman. A tale of inspiration, desire and seduction in the studio.

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DESTINATION FOCUS - MEDITERRANEAN EUROPE

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MONET AND HIS GARDEN
Claude Monet, a pioneer of Impressionism, drew immense inspiration from his garden at Giverny. This talk explores how his lush and vibrant sanctuary influenced his beautiful, light-filled masterpieces.

ARTISTS OF THE RIVIERA
The unique light of the French Riviera has attracted artists for centuries. And many of them set up homes and studios along this coast. Ian will look at the different ways the scenes were captured by Matisse, Cezanne, Renoir, Picasso, Bonnard and Van Gogh amongst others.

PICASSO'S EUROPE
Born in Malaga, Spain and died in Mougins, France, the great Picasso lived and worked in many European towns and cities including Barcelona, Madrid, and Paris. He changed his style of paintings as often as he changed his lovers. Ian’s talk is a journey through the highlights of Spain and France through the eyes of Picasso.

PAUL CEZANNE - THE PAINTERS' PAINTER
One of the world’s most influential painters, and considered to be the father of modern art, Paul Cezanne produced a vast body of work. We’ll look at his life, his mind bending still life paintings, his depictions of his beloved Provence, and his portraits. Possibly the best vote of confidence in his genius is the number of famous artists who bought paintings by Cezanne and treated him as a role model.

THE INTENSE COLOURS OF MATISSE
Matisse revolutionised the use of colour. We look at his life and his depictions of landscapes, interiors, exotic women, and his use of paper cut outs to make wonderful art.

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DESTINATION FOCUS - NORTHERN EUROPE

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CUTTING EDGE ROTTERDAM
We discover Rotterdam’s bold modern architecture, from gleaming skyscrapers to innovative bridges. This talk explores the city’s transformation, iconic landmarks, and visionary designs shaping its dynamic urban landscape.

THE BRUGES SKYLINE
Explore Bruges’ stunning architecture, from medieval charm to Gothic masterpieces. This talk delves into its canals, historic facades, and UNESCO heritage, revealing how Bruges preserves its past while embracing the future.

REMBRANDT AND THE DUTCH GOLDEN AGE
Rembrandt, one of the key painters of the 17th Century was a master of light and shadow. We examine his best-known works and discover why this period was so successful for the Netherlands.

THE GIRL WITH THE PEARL EARRING (and her companions)
Close to Rotterdam is the beautiful Mauritshuis Museum in The Hague a treasure trove of some of the most famous Dutch art by Rembrandt, Vermeer, Rubens, Frans Hals and many others.

THE MASTERS OF MEDIEVAL TRADE - THE HANSEATIC LEAGUE
Discover the secrets of the Hanseatic League, the medieval trading powerhouse. Learn how they shaped commerce, built thriving cities in the Baltic, and left a lasting legacy on European economic history and architecture.

SUNLIT SANDS - THE LUMINOUS LANDSCAPES OF THE SKAGEN PAINTERS
The Skagen painters, a group of Scandinavian artists, captured the enchanting light and landscapes of Skagen, Denmark. Their works blend realism and impressionism, reflecting coastal life and natural beauty.

EDVARD MUNCH - BEYOND THE SCREAM
This talk uncovers the genius of Edvard Munch, the visionary artist behind "The Scream." We delve into his haunting and emotional works, and his lasting impact on modern art.

PLAYING WITH LIGHT AND FIRE - THE NORDIC WAY
We explore the mesmerizing world of Olafur Eliasson, the Icelandic/Danish artist renowned for his stunning works with light and fire, such as the famous giant sun in Tate Modern. Discover his innovative installations that captivate the senses and redefine art.

COPENHAGEN’S WORLD CLASS ART AT LOUISIANA – “THE MOST BEAUTIFUL MUSEUM IN THE WORLD”
Scandinavia’s most visited modern art museum, Louisiana is internationally recognised and exhibits top-class art in its scenic and harmonious location. We explore the architecture and the art.

NORWAY’S SCENIC RAILWAYS
Despite the rugged terrain, Norway has 4,000km of railways. We look at the Flåm and Rauma scenic routes, plus Norway’s high-speed rail and some spectacular funicular trips.

THE BEAUTY OF SCANDINAVIAN DESIGN
We discover the essence of Scandinavian design – minimal, functional and timeless. The Scandinavians have influenced modern interiors around the world with simplicity, clean lines, natural materials, and innovative craftsmanship.

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DESTINATION FOCUS - ATLANTIC ISLANDS

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CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS AND CANARY ISLAND HERITAGE
The famous explorer used the Canary Islands on his route across the Atlantic and his legacy is evident in the islands’ architecture. This talk is about a range of well-preserved colonial era buildings across these islands, including the delightful and colourful UNESCO World Heritage site at La Laguna in Tenerife.

CESAR MANRIQUE - THE CANARIAN VISIONARY ARTIST
César Manrique’s presence is felt across the Canary Islands, especially in Lanzarote. He was a hugely innovative artist and architect. His buildings made brilliant integrations with nature and art, as he forged a sustainable vision with strict environmental rules that have shaped the Canarian environment but gave him an international reputation.

SACRED ART IN THE ATLANTIC ISLANDS
There are hundreds of churches scattered around the volcanic islands of Madeira, The Canaries and the Azores, some built in the most precarious positions. Many have beautiful interiors with skilled sculptural works. This talk is a survey of the best of these delightful buildings from the cathedrals in Funchal and Santa Cruz, to tiny chapels perched high up on the cliffs.

ATLANTIC ISLAND CUISINE
Ian has visited the Canaries, The Azores and Madeira many times and travelled extensively around the islands. The food is delicious, and much of it unique to the islands. We’ll look at the diet of fish, meat, potatoes, vegetables, fruit, cheeses, and wine all produced on the islands, and rarely exported.

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DESTINATION FOCUS - UNITED KINGDOM

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CHRISTOPHER WREN AND HIS GLORIOUS LEGACY
We wind the clock back to the seventeenth century and enjoy an armchair tour of some of Wren’s magnificent structures including City Churches, the Old Royal Naval College at Greenwich and of course, his greatest masterpiece St Paul’s Cathedral.

BRITISH ROYALTY FROM KING HENRY TO PRINCE HARRY
Using portraits of the British monarchs, we hear the stories of their colourful lives, their riches, their scandals and their lovers.

UNDERGROUND CATHEDRALS - THE WONDER OF THE LONDON UNDERGROUND
The world’s first underground railway has a unique heritage of architecture, ingenious design, powerful advertising posters and unique calligraphy. Ian’s talk plots the early development of the Underground and looks at some of the iconic posters, maps and celebrates the award-winning architecture of the modern Tube including the new Elizabeth Line stations, designed by some of the world’s top architects.

SECRETS OF AFFLUENT MAYFAIR
Just north of Piccadilly, the historic district of Mayfair is now one of the most affluent neighbourhoods in the world. We discover the humble early roots of this area and later its aristocratic appeal. We visit famous gardens such as Berkeley Square and Grosvenor Square, see posh shops, private members’ clubs, stately Georgian townhouses, and many hidden corners. As we duck in and out of alleyways and mews, we’ll discover some of the secrets behind the silk curtains and gilded shutters.

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DESTINATION FOCUS - NORTH AMERICA

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THE GREAT COLLECTORS
Many of the major public art collections in America came from private collectors. Most were fabulously wealthy and powerful characters. They had a passion for collecting and often would let nothing stand in their way. Ian will look at the art and some of the antics the collectors used to acquire their portfolio. He’ll include JP Morgan, Henry Clay Frink, and Albert Barnes amongst others.

THE GUGGENHEIM AND MORE BY FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT
We explore Frank Lloyd Wright’s revolutionary architecture as we look at his philosophies and how he used organic principles to design some of the most innovative buildings in America.

CAMPBELL'S SOUP BECOMES ICONIC - ANDY WARHOL
The father of American Pop Art, Andy Warhol turned mass production and consumerism into popular art. We see not just his famous soup cans, but delve into the inner world of of this complex character.

Established lecturer for The Arts Society and Tate. Always in demand, has given over 600 talks worldwide and recently with Fred Olsen Cruises. Receives outstanding feedback. Speaks on a wide range of subjects on art and architecture and delivers them in an entertaining, colourful and lively style.